Auckland festival of quilts

This event replaces Calico Christmas.

Mark your diaries.  Could be a road trip girlfriends.....

Black and white fabric - watch out for this new trend

My daughter recently bought this book.  It's a colouring book for adults!

Now this idea is starting to come through in fabrics but more illusional pattern designs rather than images as in this book by Millie Marotts.  I saw some fabric samples this week and these will be available in the shops later this year.  However there are currently other black and white fabrics for sale now if you want to  started colouring in using peminant fabric pens.  Imagine wearing a black and white dress with your own unique splash of colour placed randomly over it.

Here are a couple of images from this book.

Why should children have all the fun?   The detail is fine, as with the new fabrics and so it may take a little time to colour.  It may pay to use good quality perminant colouring fine tip fabric pens.  Always do a test piece and wash it.

Now of to explore more fabrics

Shirls

Machine embroidered Quilt

Once upon a time, I hadn't regarded machine embroidered quilts as true quilts. Over the last three years working in an environment where these machines are sold, I have begun to understand where they fit in the quilting world and have a new respect for them.

Choosing an embroidered design takes the same amount of research as choosing an appliqué design.  Choosing the thread colour is the same as auditioning fabrics for a block. The slightest shade can make or break a block.  It's easy unpicking an appliqué but not so easy with machine embroidery.

Earlier this month I attended Coastal Quilters retreat where I was introduced to Gloria Wilding and saw her quilt she had just completed.  She has been very  clever with her thread colours and chosen pattern designs. Gloria has tied these in beautifully with her feature fabric.

This quilt is very precious to Gloria.  She made this while nursing her sick husband so we are very lucky that She has allowed us to hang this quilt at Welllington Sewing Services so that others can enjoy her quilt to. 

Meet Gloria.

I hoped you enjoyed viewing these photographs and if you can, come into the shop to view this quilt.

Happy stitching.

Shirls

Todays 6 sided Kaleidoscope Class

I've had so much fun over the last couple of days running a 6 sided kaleidoscope class.  From the stresses of cutting the fabric to the squeals of delight deciding which way each block should spin.

The photos below show the fabric before cutting and the commencement of quilts being formed.

Judith's quilt

 

 

Judith has completed her quilt.  She has separated each block by using a solid.  She felt that having her blocks together was to busy.

 

Shirley.

Machine quilting for beginners.

Always scary when learning this technique.  Check out these two photographs from Saturday's class.  Pretty good for first timers.

Sawmillers Classes

My Stacking bow ties and Quilt as you go classes are scheduled in October at Sawmillers Quiltery.

Visit sawmillers quilters.co.nz to book.

This weeks Show n Tell

I always like to encourage the customers I serve in the shop where I work in to bring their completed creations.
This week Sonja Wansink brought in hers.  She is so talented that she whips creations up without patterns.


Thomas the Tank Engine shirt and hat plus two extra sunhats

 

Sonja's design - Travel activity bag for her son.



open up the bag - fold out the sides



pockets for toy emergency cars



once the bag is fully open - road to drive toy cars around

 Very clever and inspiring.
Have a great week stitching.